Primitive camping near Desert Hot Springs, California offers varying options throughout the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) areas around Joshua Tree National Park. The terrain consists mostly of flat, hard-packed desert surfaces with elevations ranging between 1,000-2,000 feet. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F while winter nights can drop below freezing, requiring seasonal preparation.
What to do
Stargazing opportunities: The dry lake bed areas provide expansive views of night skies with minimal light pollution. "Beautiful views of the nearby mountains, terrific sunsets, and lots of space," notes a visitor at North Joshua Tree.
Off-road activities: Many areas permit ATVs and dirt bikes, particularly at the dry lake bed. One camper at Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping observed, "A lot of people were doing donuts which was cool to watch. A lot of open space out here to have fun."
Hiking access: BLM lands provide access points to trails. "Within 15 min. or so of JTNP, farther depending on where in the park you're going/coming from. I ended up getting out of there first thing and cooking breakfast in the park to be a little warmer," reports a camper about temperature differences between camping areas and the park.
What campers like
Affordability: The free camping options make extended stays possible. "Free camping just outside Joshua Tree. No amenities or designated campsites. Large open area where you can camp wherever you'd like," explains a reviewer at Joshua Tree South - BLM Dispersed.
Solitude options: Despite weekend crowding in some areas, campers can find isolated spots. A visitor at North Joshua Tree noted, "There is a large compacted area to the left and right once you pass the solar farm," indicating multiple areas to find your own space.
Cell service: Unlike inside the national park, most BLM areas maintain connectivity. One camper reported, "Great cell signal here, but keep in mind that within Joshua Tree NP there is poor, almost non-existent cell signal," making these areas suitable for remote workers.
What you should know
Weather extremes: Prepare for significant temperature fluctuations. "It was noticeably cooler here than in the park—each morning I woke up, my car was saying it was at least 10 degrees cooler, 20 one morning," reports a camper.
Road conditions: Many access roads become hazardous after rain. At East Flats, a camper advised, "Roads go from bumpy to pretty rough--be careful if the first time you're driving here is in the dark."
Security considerations: Some areas experience crime issues. One camper warned, "We had a lovely stay for two nights, the wind was quite strong so make sure you have good pegs and sandbags," while another noted, "Don't expect to feel very isolated or solitary out here; expect to wake up to more people around you than you thought."
Tips for camping with families
Timing arrivals: Arriving during daylight hours makes site selection safer. A visitor to South Ridge Yellow Post Sites advised, "Great location! Beautiful views from every spot! Will definitely stay here again. Road is a little rough in sections coming up, so plan vehicle choice accordingly!"
Wildlife awareness: Desert wildlife includes snakes and scorpions. "Wildlife includes deer, lizards, snakes, woodpeckers, and lots of squirrels. Mosquitoes come out at dusk—repellent is a must," notes a camper.
Noise considerations: Some sites experience significant noise from other campers. "Weekend activity can be substantial with campers reporting dirt bikes, ATVs, and occasional late-night noise," while another reported, "Fireworks are part of the experience and cast an eerie glow across the otherwise pristine night sky. Can't say our dogs liked them though."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Look for compacted ground to avoid getting stuck. A visitor to BLM Dispersed Camping at Joshua Tree advised, "Just be careful of the sandy areas, got dug in with my sprinter and needed someone to pull me out."
Water management: No water sources exist on BLM land, requiring complete self-sufficiency. "During COVID, many campgrounds are shut down making social distance travel challenging. This campsite is great for a short weekend trip. We went in our RV and though there wasn't any hook ups, it was a quiet location to be away from the city," explains an RVer.
Generator etiquette: Some campers run generators through the night, affecting others' experience. "People are clearly living here. Drug deals going down at night with people sitting on the edges with high beams on. People living here running generators from 8 pm until they run out of gas at 3 am," warns a visitor about certain areas.
